This is a HSAN statement on New York Appellate Court decision RE: Lobbying Commission

March 18, 2005

New York, NY: The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) welcomes the NY Appellate court decision March 17, 2005 regarding the NY State Lobbying Commission.? The court “found that the commission is bound by SAPA since it is authorized to make final decisions in adjunctory proceedings where the legal of the parties are determined.”? This ruling is consistent with the view of HSAN that the state lobbying commission should be? mandated? to abide by the State Administrative Procedures Act (SAPA).?

Prior to yesterdays court ruling the Lobbying Commission had taken the position that it could bring charges, establish fines, and make public declarations about the guilt or innocence of persons or groups that it found in violation of the Lobbying law without having to respect the due process and other well established administrative rules of SAPA (State Administrative Procedures Act). We sued the Lobbying Commission to protect the constitutionally established due process and First Amendment rights of all defendants that may be brought before the Lobbying Commission.? We won the due process SAPA argument as result of yesterday’s court ruling.

Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network stated, “Yesterday’s ruling is another step forward in our efforts to ensure that all people are treated fairly and that the right to free speech is equally protected.”

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of HSAN concluded, “This ruling should bring closure to the long standing dispute between HSAN and the Lobbying Commission.? At the end of the day this is a peoples victory for equal justice.”